Folding lunch-box



UNTTED STATES PATENT UEEICE. i

C. S. HURLBUT, OF SPItINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING LUNCH-Box.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Beit known thatI, C. S. HURLBU'1,ofSpring field, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Folding Lunch or Dinner Box; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to a new and peculiar manner of constructing a lunch or dinner box,77 so called; and it consists in so attaching the side plates of the box to its bottom plate and the end plates to its cover, which cover is divided across its width into two parts, hinged at their outer ends to the top edges of the said end plates, that when the box is empty the said side, end, and cover plates can be all folded over and laid down and upon the bottom plate, where ythey are held firmly together by clasps upon one ofthe cover pieces or sections, thereby producing a very convenient, compact, and portable box for the carrying of alunch or dinner, as when so folded it can be carried with ease in the pocket of the person. This folding construction of the box does not in the least interfere with its being used for the reception of any desired articles of food, and when put into proper shape to receive it is sufficiently firm and strong for all practical purposes.

In the accompanying plate of drawings my improved lunch-box is illustrated, Figure l being a vertical section ofthe box, taken in the plane of the line w fr, Fig. 2; Fig. 2, ahorizontal section taken in the plane of the line y y, Fig. l; Fig. 3, a transverse vertical section of the box, taken in the plane ofthe line zz, Fig. 2; and Fig. 4, a section through the box, taken in the direction of its length, showing its parts folded.

a a in the drawings represent the bottom plate of the box, made of a rectangular shape, of the desired length and width, with its two ends, b b, bent upward and at right angles thereto. To the four edges of this bottom plate are secured, by means of suitable hinges c c, the four plates d, f, g, and h, constituting the sides and ends of the box, made of any desired, but of an equal and uniform, height when in an upright position, said plates being all independent of each other.

lis the cover, made in two parts or piece's,m and n, one, m, of a little greater length than the other, n, which parts are respectively hinged at one end to the top edges of the end plates, g and h, of the box, the longer part m slightly overlapping the inner end of the shorter part n, through slots o o of which its clasps 19 p pass when the parts are in a box form, as shown in Fig. l. The side edges of the cover are slightly bent down for their whole length, and upon each upright edge of the end pieces, g and h, are formed grooves or channels q g, in which t the ends of the side pieces, d and f, thus firmly holding them in an upright position when so placed, the bent edges of the cover overlapping their upper edges and completely securing them, as is obvious by an inspection of the drawings and without further explanation.

When the box has been emptied of its contents both portions ofthe cover are iirstswung up and the ends released from the sides, when the two sides are laid down and upon each other upon the bottom plate, then the end to which the smaller part of the cover is hinged, together with such portion of the cover, and, nally, the other end plate, with its hinged portion of the cover over and upon the whole, the clasps upon the end of the larger portion of the cover springing and overlapping one end of the bottom plate in such a manner as to firmly hold all the parts together, the parts of the box when so folded being plainly shown in section in Fig. 4.

By bending up the ends of the bottom plate as described, I am enabled to fold in and with the sides of the box a knife, fork, or platter, s, as shown, it giving sufficient space to admit of it without affecting in the least the fold ing of the box.

From the above explanation of the manner in which I construct a lunch-box so as to render it susceptible of being folded up, the box, it is obvious, is rendered much more convenient, compact, and desirable, and its usefulness much increased, all of which are quite important advantages.

My improved lunch box may be made of sheettin, eopper, brass, orV any other suitable tom plete, held rmly together by clasps upon metal or other material, and of various shapes one ofthe cover-plates, in the manner and for angv sizes. the purpose herein specified.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure y by Letters Patent, is- C' s' HURLBUT' The combination'of the bottom plate and Witnesses: folding hinged side, end, and cover plates,` C. R. CHAFFEE, Which are capable of being laid over lthe bot- A. L. SOULE. 

